A four-day workshop on sound management practices to aid the improvement of the businesses of small and medium-scale women entrepreneurs has been held in Kumasi for 40 women.

Organised jointly by the Ministry of Trade and Industries (MOTI) and The National Board for Small-Scale Industries (NBSSI), the workshop was one of the skill development interventions to reduce poverty among women in Micro, Small and Medium scale enterprises (MCEs).

The programme is being implemented under the Industrial Sector Support Programme (ISSP).

Mr Dawarnoba Baeka, Deputy Executive Director of the NBSSI, speaking at the closing ceremony on Thursday, assured the women entrepreneurs of the Board’s commitment to provide them the necessary training skills to enable them undertake viable economic ventures.

He advised them to form co-operative societies to enable them qualify for credit facilities from financial institutions to expand their businesses.

The Deputy Executive Director of the NBSSI called on them to contact the Advisory Centres of the Board to help them to improve on their business practices.

Miss Habiba Sumani, Director of Women Entrepreneurship Development of the NBSSI, said the programme recognized Women Entrepreneurs Networks and Associations as major sources of knowledge and information which are valuable tools for the development and promotion of women entrepreneurship.

She urged the participants to educate other colleagues on the importance of the workshop to improve on their skills and financial management.

Mr David Adaglenya, Manager in-charge of Training and Development of the Sinapi Aba Trust and Mr Kwasi Agyemang of the Adum branch of the Ghana Commercial Bank, all in Kumasi, also briefed them on how to access loans from banks and other institutions.

Mrs Alima Seini, Ashanti Regional President of the Progressive Hairdressers Association, described the workshop as educative and hoped that it would be extended to their other colleagues to empower them economically.

The participants were also presented with certificates.